Kanya Pujan 2026 date: October 18 or 19? Check Maha Ashtami timings and reason behind tithi confusion this Navratri

Devotees preparing for Kanya Pujan during Navratri 2026 may be unsure whether to perform the ritual on Sunday, October 18, or Monday, October 19. The confusion arises because Maha Ashtami begins on October 18 but continues into the following morning. According to the Drik Panchang timings provided, Monday, October 19, is the date to follow for Maha Ashtami observances under the Udaya Tithi rule, as Ashtami will be in effect at sunrise that day. Devotees planning Kanya Pujan should also account for the tithi’s end at 10:51 am IST and check local panchang timings before finalising their rituals.

Kanya Pujan 2026 date: Is it October 18 or October 19?

The key to understanding the two dates is the Hindu lunar calendar. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, in which a new date begins at midnight, Hindu festivals are calculated using tithis, or lunar days. A tithi can begin during one calendar date and end on the next, which is why different calendars may display different dates for the same observance.

According to Drik Panchang, Maha Ashtami tithi begins at 8:27 am on Sunday, October 18, and ends at 10:51 am on Monday, October 19.


Under the Udaya Tithi convention, the tithi present at sunrise determines the principal day of observance. Since Ashtami remains active at sunrise on October 19, that Monday is the date for Maha Ashtami in 2026.

For Kanya Pujan, many families perform the ritual on Ashtami, while others observe it on Navami according to their family customs. Those following Ashtami should plan around the morning timing and confirm the appropriate muhurat for their location.

Maha Ashtami 2026 tithi timings for Delhi

The following timings are listed for Delhi in Indian Standard Time (IST):

• Maha Ashtami tithi begins: Sunday, October 18, at 8:27 am
• Maha Ashtami tithi ends: Monday, October 19, at 10:51 am
• Maha Ashtami observance: Monday, October 19
• Maha Navami tithi begins: Monday, October 19, at 10:51 am, immediately after Ashtami ends

These timings can vary by location. Devotees should consult a panchang for their city before deciding when to perform Kanya Pujan, a fast or other Navratri rituals.

Kanya Pujan vidhi: Why is it performed on Ashtami or Navami?

Kanya Pujan, also known as Kanjak Puja in several parts of North India, is an important Navratri ritual in which young girls are worshipped as manifestations of the divine feminine energy associated with Goddess Durga.

Families traditionally welcome the girls into their homes, wash their feet as a mark of respect and offer them a meal that commonly includes puri, suji halwa and kala chana. Gifts, bangles or money may also be given. The ritual is often performed on Maha Ashtami or Maha Navami, depending on family and regional traditions, and is associated with the conclusion of the Navratri fast.

Maha Ashtami is dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri, the eighth form of Maa Durga, who is associated with purity, grace and peace. Devotees may observe a fast, offer prayers at home or visit temples and pandals.

Maha Navami 2026 date: Can Kanya Pujan be performed on October 19?

Maha Navami tithi begins on October 19 at 10:51 am, immediately after Ashtami ends, and continues into October 20, according to the timings provided. This means Ashtami and Navami fall on the same Gregorian date for part of the day.

Families that traditionally conduct Kanya Pujan on Navami may therefore follow a different schedule from those who perform it on Ashtami. The correct timing depends on the relevant ritual, local panchang and family tradition. Anyone planning a havan or a specific puja should consult their family priest or local temple to avoid confusion over the transition between the two tithis.

Which date should you follow for Kanya Pujan 2026?

For devotees observing Maha Ashtami according to the Udaya Tithi rule, Monday, October 19, is the relevant date in 2026. The Ashtami tithi ends at 10:51 am IST, so those planning Kanya Pujan on Ashtami should check the local muhurat and complete their arrangements accordingly.

There is no single date that applies to every family’s Kanya Pujan custom, as some observe the ritual on Navami instead. Checking the local panchang and following the family’s established tradition will help devotees decide whether to perform the puja on Ashtami or Navami.